XLIX.—KURENT THE PRESERVER.
Mankind perished by the flood, and there was only one
who survived, and this was Kranyatz. Kranyatz fled higher
and higher, till the water flooded the last mountain. The
poor wretch saw how the pines and shrubs were covered;
one vine, and one only, was still dry. To it he fled, and
quickly seized hold of it, not from necessity, but from
excessive terror; but how could it help him, being so
slender and weak? Kurent observed this, for the vine was
his stick, when he walked through the wide world. It was
agreeable to him that man should be thought to seek help
from him. It is true that Kurent was a great joker; but he
was also of a kindly nature, and was always glad to deliver
anyone from distress. Hearing Kranyatz lamenting, he
straightened the vine, his stick, and lengthened it more and
more, till it became higher than the clouds. After nine
years the flood ceased, and the earth became dry again.
But Kranyatz preserved himself by hanging on the vine,
and nourishing himself by its grapes and wine. When all
became dry, he got down, and thanked Kurent as his preserver.
But this didn't please Kurent. `It was the vine
that rescued you,' said he to Kranyatz; `thank the vine, and
make a covenant with it, and bind yourself and your posterity,
under a curse, that you will always speak its praises
and love its wine more than any other food and drink.'
Very willingly did the grateful Kranyatz make the engagement
for both himself and his posterity, and to this day
his descendants still keep faith, according to his promise,
loving wine above all things, and joyfully commemorating
Kurent, their ancient benefactor.
